SINCE you did depart
Out of my reach, my
darling,
Into the
hidden,
I see each
shadow start
With
recognition, and I
Am wonder-ridden.
I am dazed with the
farewell,
But I
scarcely feel your loss.
You left me a gift
Of tongues, so the shadows tell
Me things, and silences
toss
Me their
drift.
You sent me a cloven
fire
Out of death,
and it burns in the draught
Of the breathing hosts,
Kindles the darkening
pyre
For the
sorrowful, till strange brands waft
Like candid ghosts.
Form after form, in the
streets
Waves like a
ghost along,
Kindled
to me;
The star
above the house-top greets
Me every eve with a long
Song
fierily.
All day long, the town
Glimmers with subtle
ghosts
Going up and
down
In a common,
prison-like dress;
But their daunted looking flickers
To me, and I answer,
Yes!
So I am not lonely nor
sad
Although
bereaved of you,
My
little love.
I move
among a kinsfolk clad
With words, but the dream shows
through
As they
move.